Service Learning Celebrated Across the Province

The accomplishments of Nova Scotia students are being celebrated through a Service Learning Showcase.

From June 2-6, schools across Nova Scotia will be showcasing dozens of service learning projects, such as work with Habitat for Humanity and the construction of the Heritage Square in Oxford.

These projects are part of the Options and Opportunities (O2) program. Currently, there are over 2,300 students enrolled in the O2 program.

“It is programs like Options and Opportunities that help to foster a sense of community in our students,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey. “These students have done an amazing job, and it is important we recognize the hard work they have put into their projects to better their communities.”

Service learning focuses on student engagement by getting students actively involved through hands-on problem solving, community involvement and cross-curricular exploration. Service learning turns the community into the classroom, allowing students to have access to more hands-on learning while helping them to make a positive difference where they live.

“I learned a lot about organizing and working as a team,” said Robyn Laing, a student at Prince Andrew High School. “All the hard work we were doing was beneficial to us, but I also learned it was beneficial to the people we were able to help in our community.”

Among the showcase events are:— A Service Learning Gala at Bridgetown Regional High School, Bridgetown— A celebration of a beautification project of the downtown core at Glace Bay High School, Glace Bay— A smudging ceremony to officially open the Mi’kmaq healing garden at Liverpool Regional High School, Liverpool— A celebration of the construction of the Heritage Square in Oxford at Oxford Regional Education Centre — An event to showcase a doll house and maple wood toys to be donated to the IWK Health Centre at Halifax West High School.